Taken Alive eBook

“Will you please step into the outer office
and make sure that no one is within earshot?”
said Brandt, quietly.

When Mr. Alford returned, the elderly man apparently
had disappeared, and a smiling smooth-faced young
fellow with short brown hair sat in his place.
His host stared, the transformation was so great.

“Mr. Alford,” said the detective, “I
understand my business and the risks it involves.
All I ask of you is that I may not be interfered with
so far as you are concerned; and my chief object in
calling is to prevent you being surprised by anything
you may see or hear. About three miles or thereabouts
from here, on the road running east, there is a fellow
who keeps a tavern. Do you know him?”

“I know no good of him. He’s the
worst nuisance I have to contend with, for he keeps
some of my men disabled much of the time.”

“Well, I knew Bute years ago, and I can make
him think I am now what I was then, only worse; and
I will induce him to go with me to raid that tavern.
If this plan fails, I shall try another, for I am
either going to take Bute alive or else get ample proof
that he is dead. There may be some queer goings-on
before I leave, and all I ask is that you will neither
interfere nor investigate. You may be as ignorant
and non-committal as you please. I shall report
progress to you, however, and may need your testimony,
but will see to it that it is given by you as one
who had nothing to do with the affair. Now please
show me your quarters, so that I can find you at night
if need be; also Bute’s sleeping-place and the
lay of the land to some extent. You’ll find
that I can take everything in mighty quick. See,
I’m the elderly gentleman again,” and
he resumed his disguise with marvellous celerity.

Mr. Alford led the way through the outer office; and
the two clerks writing there saw nothing to awaken
the slightest suspicion. The superintendent’s
cottage stood on the road leading to the mine and
somewhat apart from the other buildings. On the
opposite side of the highway was a thicket of pines
which promised cover until one plunged into the unbroken
forest that covered the mountain-side.

Brandt observed this, and remarked, “I’ve
studied the approaches to your place a little at I
came along; but I suppose I shall have to give a day
or two more to the work before making my attempt.”

“Well,” rejoined Mr. Alford, who was of
rather a social turn and felt the isolation of his
life, “why not be my guest for a time?
I’ll take the risk if you will remain incog.,
and keep aloof from the men.”

“That I should do in any event till ready to
act. Thank you for your kindness, for it may
simplify my task very much. I will see to it
that I do not compromise you. When I’m ready
to snare my bird, you can dismiss me a little ostentatiously
for New York.”

Brandt’s horse was now ordered to the stable.
The two men entered the cottage, and soon afterward
visited the different points of interest, Mr. Alford
giving the natural impression that he was showing
an interested stranger the appliances for working the
mine. At one point he remarked in a low tone,
“That’s Bute’s lodging-place.
A half-breed, named Apache Jack, who speaks little
English lives with him.”